Sunday, August 29, 2010

Well, I made a frame for sister, because she left yesteday to go back to school for her 5th year. :( I usually make her or get her a little something, so I decided to make her something this year! I started off with the frame and these little nautical pieces. (she loves everything nautical)

I didn't take many pictures of the process, but I taped off the frame in stripes and painted it white.

I then painted the pieces. First I had them a gold yellow colour, then gold, then silver, then finally decided on red.

I removed the tape, sanded away and stuck the pieces on the frame with hot glue.

Isn't it cute?

I also sanded the nautical pieces.

If you look close, you can see the original blue, yellow, gold, and silver where I sanded it...hahahah

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

So, I finally got around to taking pictures of the nice, clean kitchen! I thought first I would show you the transformation it went through over the years!!

Here was the kitchen when we moved in

We didn't touch the cupboards, all we really did was give the kitchen a fresh coat of paint, got rid of the curtains, table and chairs.

I chose this green colour, that I hated as soon as I painted the walls. It was better then the wallpaper though

One day I decided I should paint the "wood" panelling

That really brightened up the room!!

Here was the picture of the kitchen before the big project. (after we got the new table and chairs)

And here the kitchen is now:

Love the colour!! Again, we painted above the cupboards where the sign is, and I am so glad we did. It makes it appear taller. I also spray painted the handles to save money on hardware.

You can see in the earlier pictures there was a mirror and paper towel holder by the second sink. We removed those. Also you can see the yellow/gold glass in the doors, that had to go! Mom brought some paint medium she had which allowed us to paint right on the glass, the same colour as the cupboards. It looks awesome!

I actually painted the range and dishwasher with the same colour. That dishwasher has to go! But for now, it at least matches! haha Now the stove seems kind of out of place!

We also painted the walls. I mixed the leftover paint from the living room, and bedroom and made this colour. I like it much better!!

We decided on a paint/primer in one (the guy said that melamine paint will be discontinued very soon) and that this paint was equally as durable. I am not happy with this paint at all. I already have a few dings, and I just painted it last week. I was thinking of putting a clear coat of something on top to protect them.

Kitchen Breakdown:

Paint for cupboards: $65- $50 for gallon, $15 for quart of paint. (gallon would have been enough, but I painted the trim around the kitchen and door and window frames)

Paint for hardware: $5 (which I didn't need to buy because I found a new can in the cupboard)

P.S- I just want to thank mom and dad again for all their hard work. They did more then me, thats for sure! So thank you for taking time out of your day to help paint! I love you! And anytime you need help painting I'm there!!! :) (although I think all three of us agreed we would never paint kitchen cupboards again! ahhahaha)

P.P.S?- I am adding this kitchen makeover to all the blog parties listed here. You should go check them out!! Also Thrifty Decor Chicks Before and After Party

Friday, August 20, 2010

Hey everyone! I have some exciting news. I created a "Ashley's Thrifty Living" Fanpage on Facebook! I have a lot of friends who don't have blogs or google accounts, but do have facebook and want to check in to see whats going on. So I created this page!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Well, the kitchen cupboards are done! Alllll done! It took longer and was more work then I thought but they look amazing. What am I saying...it was more work for mom and dad! The last 4 days I have worked, had an appointment and an interview and they stayed and painted away. So thank you mom and dad so much for all your hard work! I love you!

So, they are painted a creamy white with nice sprayed black handles. We painted the wall above them too, and it looks much taller. (seen below)

Also today, I decided I wanted to get rid of the green, which I have hated since I painted it green 3 years ago. I didn't want to spend any more on paint so I mixed my own! I mixed the colour from the living room and the one from our bedroom when it was beige. It looks awesome!! I can't quite do a big reveal because the trim around the kitchen needs to be painted the same colour as well. I think it looks funny white, with the creamy white cupboards, so that is tomorrows job!! See? Very white.

So because I am painting that, I will have to do all the door frames as well! Ah. The work is never done!!

Hopefully this weekend I will reveal the kitchen makeover?!!

I thought I would also show you the things I found at winners for waaaay cheap!

eco decor-$1

frames-$2 each

cutest thermos-$2

lovely tin candlestick-$4!

I also picked up this chime for $3

It has an angel and some other stuff which isn't my style, so I am going to just take them off. I mean how could I pass up this?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I had them outside and my plan was to move them inside this winter. Well something happened and they were tres tres dead. Little brown crisps. Yes, I forgot to water them. I am still not sure how I forgot to do this since the table they are on is right beside the door! hahahah. Anyway, I bought some new ones at Sobey's on the weekend and thought I should jazz up the pots before I brought them in!

So, here they are before.

I used my good old chalkboard paint, and sprayed away. And here they are now:

So cute!

Love how they turned out! So cute, and easy (my favourite things!)

I am linking this post to the lovely blog parties listed here Come join the fun!

And today Mike and his dad were in the big scary barn doing something. Sadie went in there with them, and wouldn't come out when they left. I went out to spray paint the handles and knobs, and she was in the barn trying to jump down....from here

She didn't know how to come down! So I had to go in the big scary barn, and get her myself. I hate it in there! So spooky...but I needed to save my puppy!!!